The date was 15th October. There were many interesting football matches held that day including a Milan derby. One of the matches played on that day was a Dutch league match between Vitesse and Heracles Almelo. Vitesse were captained by Guram Kashia. Kashia wore a rainbow armband in the match, thus being supportive of LGBT rights.
This gesture from Kashia attracted a huge outrage. Anti-LGBT protestors in Kashia’s native Georgia reacted with smokes, flares and riots. Protesters also burned a rainbow flag in front of the headquarters of the Georgia Football Federation.
However, this gesture from Kashia has earned him UEFA’s #EqualGame award. He will be the first recipient of this honour.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said, “Guram has taken an important stand to support the LGBT community and equality overall and deserves to win this award. Even though his actions sparked threats and abuse from many groups, he preached tolerance and acceptance, and helped change perceptions of this minority group in his native country of Georgia.”
Kashia said that he never regretted wearing the armband. The Georgian skipper said, “I believe in equality for everyone, no matter what you believe in, who you love or who you are.”
Kashia currently plies his trade at American club San Jose Earthquakes. The 31-year old has also played 64 matches for Georgia, scoring 2 goals. He will receive this award next Thursday during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw at Monaco.
The UEFA #EqualGame award goes to footballers who act as role models in promoting diversity, inclusion and accessibility in European football. As far as the description of the award is concerned, Guram Kashia richly deserves this.
